The NBA’s Top 5 Entering 2025–26: Who Runs the League Now?

With EuroBasket 2025 now wrapped up, all eyes turn to the NBA, which tips off its new season on October 21. The league feels deeper and more talented than ever heading into 2025–26.

One of the biggest storylines will be the debut of Cooper Flagg, the most anticipated rookie since Zion Williamson. He’ll join forces with veterans Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson on the Dallas Mavericks. Cooper will be surrounded by amazing veterans, who will support him and elevate his game to match NBA competition.

In the East, the New York Knicks look poised for a breakthrough. With their bench finally solidified and Mike Brown at head coach, they enter the season as favorites to win the conference. Out West, the competition is as fierce as it’s ever been, with a razor-thin margin likely separating seeds two through eight.

As the season approaches, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible talent across the league. To capture the moment, I’ve put together my list of the top five players heading into the 2025–26 NBA season.

1. Luka Doncic — Los Angeles Lakers

Even as a diehard Lakers fan, it’s clear that Luka Dončić enters this season on a mission. Over the offseason, Luka lost more than 30 pounds, adopted stricter eating habits, and elevated his conditioning to a new level. His transformation off the court translated to dominance on it, as he put together a historic run at EuroBasket 2025.

Luka was named to the All-Star Five and All-Tournament Team, while also earning a nomination for Best Defensive Player. He led the tournament in scoring with 34.7 points per game, and paced Slovenia across the board with 8.6 rebounds per game, 7.1 assists per game, 2.7 steals per game, and 0.6 blocks per game. His most staggering mark was efficiency: an average PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of 36.6, surpassing even Nikola Jokić’s record-setting 32.85 PER from his 2021–22 NBA MVP season. With international basketball at its most competitive, these numbers can’t be overlooked.

Now Luka turns to the 2025–26 NBA season with the third-best MVP odds (+380), trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić. The Lakers doubled down on their commitment to him this summer, signing Dončić to a three-year, $165 million extension with a player option in the final season. The roster also saw key upgrades: DeAndre Ayton joins as a lob threat and post presence, while Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia provide much-needed perimeter defense to relieve LeBron James and Luka.

The hype is real, and if you’re not ready for Luka Dončić to have the best season of his career, now is the time to lock in.

2. Nikola Jokić — Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokić is the greatest player of this decade, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Over the past five years, Jokić has captured the NBA MVP award three times and finished runner-up in the other two seasons. Last year, he averaged a triple-double while posting a 32.04 PER, the fourth-highest in NBA history. His numbers were video-game level, and many believe he should have taken home another MVP trophy, though voter fatigue and team record factored into the final decision. Regardless, Jokić continues to be one of the league’s most dominant and consistent players season after season.

This summer, Jokić suited up for Serbia in EuroBasket 2025, where his team advanced to the Round of 16. He delivered a strong tournament, averaging 22.3 PPG, 9 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.7 BPG, and a 30.3 PER. His play earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Second Team, adding another honor to his international résumé.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets retooled their roster this offseason. They created wing depth by bringing back Bruce Brown and trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, a move aimed at improving spacing and defensive versatility. They also signed Jonas Valančiūnas, who adds interior size, rebounding, and post scoring. These changes give the Nuggets more balance and depth to ease the offensive burden on Jokić. Still, with his skill set and dominance, expect him to continue producing at an elite level and keep Denver in contention.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, better known as Shai, is the second coming of Kobe Bryant, and he is not slowing down. He is my favorite player to watch because of his masterful footwork, relentless ability to attack the rim, and skill at creating space to get to his shot.

Shai put up MVP-level numbers during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. On the defensive end, he added 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting 51.9 percent from the field. His efficiency matched his production, finishing with a PER of 30.6, one of the best marks in the league that season.

In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Shai continued his dominance, averaging 29.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game, along with 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, while shooting 46.2 percent from the field.

His season was capped by a historic run of accolades: NBA MVP, Scoring Champion, NBA Champion, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Star. Shai can easily be considered the best or second-best player entering the 2025–26 NBA season, though I believe Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić are also poised for historic years.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo — Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been one of the most impressive and consistent players in the NBA since 2016–17. As one of the league’s best two-way players, his unique size and skill set make him one of the biggest matchup nightmares in basketball.

This past offseason, Giannis competed in EuroBasket 2025 with Greece, where the team finished in third place, earning the bronze medal and ending a 16-year podium drought. Giannis dominated the tournament, averaging 27.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. On the defensive end, he added 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, while posting an efficiency rating of 29.7. His outstanding play earned him a spot on the EuroBasket 2025 All-Star Five.

The Bucks, meanwhile, underwent a major shakeup this offseason. They waived Damian Lillard’s contract, let Brook Lopez walk, and signed Myles Turner as their new starting center. They also added Cole Anthony and Gary Harris while retaining Bobby Portis and Gary Trent Jr. Turner is essentially a younger and more expensive version of Lopez, so the move doesn’t feel like a clear upgrade.

Giannis is one of the best players of this decade, and entering the 2025–26 season, I rank him 4th overall, just behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, and Nikola Jokić. If he is not satisfied with Milwaukee’s direction by the trade deadline, it would not be surprising to see him force his way onto a different team.

5. Victor Wembanyama — San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama is not from this planet. He is an alien.

Last season, Wembanyama’s year was cut short after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, which forced the Spurs to shut him down for the remainder of the season. As a result, he played only 46 of 82 games, making him ineligible for any in-season awards. Before the injury, however, Wembanyama showcased why he is already one of the league’s brightest stars. He averaged 24.3 points per game on 47.6% shooting from the field, along with 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. On the defensive end, he was even more dominant, posting 1.1 steals and an NBA-leading 3.8 blocks per game. His rim protection completely altered how opposing teams attacked the Spurs, making him the most feared defensive presence in the league.

Even more impressively, despite missing nearly half the season, he still finished as the NBA’s blocks leader with 176. His advanced metrics also reflected his elite impact, as he posted an efficiency rating of 30.4 during the 2024–25 season. That level of efficiency and defensive dominance at just 20 years old speaks to his generational ceiling.

Looking ahead, I believe Wembanyama will have an even stronger season in 2025–26. The Spurs added significant reinforcements, highlighted by the best guard in the draft, Dylan Harper, and versatile 3-and-D wing Carter Bryant from Arizona. This supporting cast will finally give Wembanyama the floor spacing and guard play needed to maximize his offensive game. Last season, he and De’Aaron Fox were limited to just five games together. With a full season ahead of them, I expect the two to develop one of the most dangerous pick-and-roll combinations in the NBA. Fox’s elite speed and playmaking, paired with Wembanyama’s unmatched finishing and rim protection, will be nearly impossible to defend.

Wembanyama will only continue to grow as a player, both physically and mentally, and that is why I have him ranked as the 5th-best player entering the 2025–26 season. If he stays healthy, there’s a real case that he could end the year firmly in the top three.

What all of these players have in common is that each of them has the potential to be the best player in the NBA this upcoming season. Nearly all of them have seen their rosters improve, giving them the support needed to elevate both their individual play and their teams’ overall success. With stars entering their primes, young talent breaking out, and contenders reloading, the league is as balanced and unpredictable as ever. I am extremely excited to see how the season unfolds, and I know we are in for one of the most competitive MVP races in recent memory. No matter who emerges on top, this year promises to showcase the very best the NBA has to offer.

That’s The Sidel Line.